James Ignatius Taylor

Rev. Dr. James Ignatius Taylor BA(London) DD(Rome) MRIA, was an Irish Priest, Educator and ecclesiastic.

James Ignatius Taylor was born at Gardiner's Place, Dublin in July 1805, to Joseph and Anne Taylor. In 1822 he went to study at St. Patrick's, Carlow College, his older brother Rev. John B. Taylor who had studied in Paris was a Professor in the College, and James was ordained on 28 May 1831 to the priesthood and was appointed Bursar of the College and in 1834 he was appointed Vice-President.[1] He also served as Professor of Sacred Scripture. In 1841 Rev. Taylor was awarded a BA from the University of London which Carlow was affiliated to. In 1843 he became president of St. Patrick's, Carlow College holding the position until 1850. Whilst President of the College he on a visit to Rome, he was awarded the degree of Doctor in Theology(DD) and in 1848 Dr. Taylor was elected a member of the Royal Irish Academy. On 2 June 1847, he bought the farm and 127acres of Knockbeg and founded St. Marys (Knockbeg College) as a preparatory School for Carlow College.

Leaving Carlow College he moved to Dublin and joined the Vincentians, he became Secretary to the Archbishop of Dublin in January 1853 became Secretary of the Catholic University of Ireland.

He also served as Parish Priest of Rathvilly, Co. Carlow, later of Maryborough, Portlaoise, Co Laois[2] He died in the Parochial house, Maryborough where he was Parish Priest for twenty years, on 5 February 1875.